Why South Africa has over 27 000 unfilled teaching positions

As thousands of unemployed teachers continue to languish at home, 27 092 teaching posts remain vacant across South Africa.

As South Africa grapples with a significant education crisis, 27,092 teaching positions remain unfilled, leaving many qualified teachers unemployed.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed this figure in a parliamentary response to Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls, who requested a detailed breakdown of teaching and non-teaching vacancies across the country.

According to Gwarube, PERSAL data as of 30 June 2026 indicates a national educator vacancy rate of 7%, highlighting the pressing need for solutions in the education sector.

The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of vacant teaching posts at 5 730, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 4 700 and Gauteng with 3 994.